Artificial Insemination and CITES

[Daktari JG]

While back there was a news article about some guy who illegally imported some Marco Polo Sheep semen into the US.
Montana rancher pleads guilty to creating 'giant hybrid sheep'

That got me thinking about how things SHOULD actually work. Wouldn't it be so much easier and efficient if there was some streamlined process to import semen from other countries to facilitate breeding? I'm not saying every Tom Dick and Harry should be able to do it like ordering takeout, but
it sure seems a lot cheaper and efficient way of insuring many species viability as captive stock.

Maybe I am uninformed and this is already occurring,, if so I would like to know about it, otherwise...thoughts?

 

[DDcorvus]

There is biosecurity legislation that has to be considered and CITES although importing semen is not very different from importing live animals for the second process. It is being done for livestock, but also for some high profile ungulates although the AI process can be quite complex depending on the species. The most obvious challenge here is: Where will you get Marco Polo sheep semen.

 

[Dassie rat]

The most obvious challenge here is: Where will you get Marco Polo sheep semen.

Berlin Tierpark or Beijing Zoo?

 

[DDcorvus]

Berlin Tierpark or Beijing Zoo?

Than it is a feasible (although not easy) process. Of course species by species you need to check if just importing sperm is sufficient (and if AI is even an option at all), but if a captive population outside the US is available this would remove a lot of obstacles. And for certain species it is done especially if it is considered worth the investment and if alternative options are less attractive.